ORIGIN

BaT Exclusive: 1958 Berkeley Roadster Project

9/13/2008 Update: This Berkeley sold to a Canadian BaT reader. We wish him luck on the project.

From 8/30/2008:

This 1958 Berkeley Roadster needs an engine and complete restoration, but does include an interesting new replacement body. It is available out of Corvallis, Oregon for $3500 obo. Contact us at mail@bringatrailer.com if you are interested.

These British roadsters featured front wheel drive, two or three cylinder motorcycle power, and 10’x4′ dimensions. The yellow fiberglass and aluminum body below has tasteful flares and aluminum inner panels, and is supposedly one of only four ever manufactured. Restore the chassis with your powerplant of choice, then widen the original wheels to fill out the flares.

Check out the red car below for what these look like when restored to original. This car is currently on display at the Microcar Museum outside Atlanta, Georgia.

The front end comparison is shown below. The factory body is damaged or otherwise modified, and this angle shows some of the inner construction. Many readers suggested modern motorcycle power for the Honda S600 we recently featured, and that could be a route for this car if vintage racing isn’t the goal.

The project chassis includes a steering column and pedal assembly but no seats or dash components. We would source some period British gauges and drop in a black bench seat, as two buckets would not likely fit side-by-side.

These roadsters are unusual, but can be quite cool with the right details and stance. These pictures don’t do justice to just how small they are. Check out this 1959 Berkeley racer being developed by our friends at Grassroots Motorsports magazine.